Tsugaru Shamisen

Tsugaru-Shamisenis one of
the versions of Shamisen, a three stringed Japanese Lute, specially
evolved in "Tsugaru" region in the northern part of Japan. Because of
the heavy snowfall and painful long winter, Tsugaru people were in
need of music as an emotional relief to struggle with severe life there.
Tsugaru-Shamisenand its music will give audiences an
impression of the strength of human as well as tenderness.

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The root of Shamisen can be date back to
Arabic Oud, the same as Lute in Europe. This instrument was apparently
introduced to Japan from mainland China through southern islands laying
between Japan and Taiwan in the 16th century. Although Shamisen was mainly
used for chamber music at urban entertainment place initially, it had made
dramatic development as a musical instrument for the stage of "Kabuki" and
"Bunraku"(Puppet play) during the period of Edo year(1603-1868). As a
result, the popularity of this instrument had been increased rapidly, and
Shamisen was evolved as one of the most important instruments in
Japanese classical music.Tsugaru-Shamisen ,
one of the versions of Shamisen, was initially used of wandering
blind artists who perform in front of people's house for their living,
specially in Tsugaru region. Although, by the middle of the 19th century,
Tsugaru-Shamisen was used simply to provide background music to
folk singers, it came to be appreciated gradually as a solo or ensemble
instrument, As a solo instrument, pieces for Tsugaru-Shamisen
require very high technique for speedy playing, refined sense of dynamic rhythm and
creativity for improvisation, like jazz music. Now a days, such dynamic, powerful but soulful and sensitive sound of
Tsugaru-Shamisen fascinates many people in Japan, and it became a
boom within younger generation.